Michael B. Slade
How Judge Slade rules, drawn from 23 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Slade
Michael B. Slade serves as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He earned a degree from Emory University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Before joining the court, he clerked for a federal appellate judge and practiced at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago for twenty-four years.
Judge Slade's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Slade, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Contacting chambers
Copy all parties to a case or contested matter on non-substantive emails sent to chambers.
“All parties to a case or contested matter should be copied on any such emails and/or included in such telephone calls.”
Discovery
After conferring about a discovery dispute, file a letter of no more than three pages instead of a formal motion.
“A party must file a letter on the docket (not to exceed 3 pages) in lieu of a formal motion. The letter should attach (or if not able to attach, describe in detail) the discovery request(s) and/or discovery response(s) at issue.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
How Judge Slade decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
Lawyers using automated research remain responsible for verifying every authority before filing.
“The next lawyer who does the same thing is warned that he or she will likely see a more significant penalty.”
Cautions
In a municipal discharge-injunction case, repeated notice and a 273-day water shutoff led to equal actual and punitive damages plus an additional fee award.
“All municipalities must comply with federal law, and Ms. Thomas deserved better from the City of Harvey.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“I thus find in favor of the defendants.”
“CCU is allowed a total of $2,075 in attorney’s fees”
“the Trustee’s objection to it is overruled.”
“confirmation of the proposed Plan (Dkt. No. 40) is denied,”
“the Trustee’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 27) is also denied.”
“the UST’s remaining objections are overruled”
“For the reasons stated herein, the Committee’s motion for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. Nos. 54) is denied.”
“is sustained.”
“the Debtor’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 9) will be denied.”
“sustained and the claim is disallowed.”
“the U.S. Trustee’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. Nos. 11 & 34) is granted.”
“Mr. Stretch’s motion to waive the credit counseling requirements (Dkt. No. 23) is denied”
“The Trustee’s objection to discharge is overruled.”
“Walker’s Motion will be denied.”
“Finding that Thomas E. Nield and The Semrad Law Firm, LLC, have violated Rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.”
Draft for Judge Slade with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Slade, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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